CHHATH

FESTIVALS

 The chhath festival is the most . important festival observed in the Tcrai region and falls on the seventh day after Laxmi Puja of Tihar. Celebrated for 4 days, I Chhath starts with `Nahayakhaya' with people cleaning the households and taking only those food items considered pure. The second day is Kharana when I people observe fasting throughout the day. The third day is the important day of Chhath when t people observe fast and worship  'Dubdeshwori' or the setting sun 1 as a form of lord Vishnu. After i day of strict fasting, people gather at the banks of rivers and ponds t and offer a basketful of different fruits, breads and sweets to the 1 setting sun for good health, long life and prosperity. The devotees keep vigil throughout the night. I On the the morning of the fourth ? day, the rising sun 'Upteshtor' is 1 worshipped. The devotees then break their fast thus concluding the festival.